hint of mawkishness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hint of mawkishness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a subtle or slight sentimentality that may be overly emotional or sentimental in a way that could be considered excessive or insincere. Example: "The film had a hint of mawkishness, making some scenes feel overly sentimental."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It's the only hint of mawkishness.

Independent

Throughout "We Were Here" there is not a hint of mawkishness, self-pity or self-congratulation.

The New York Times

But, like everything else in the movie, this is carried off easily without a hint of mawkishness.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Mr. Trintignant and Ms. Riva's portrait of a long-married couple facing death affirms the kind of love that transcends the physical without a trace of mawkishness.

The New York Times

There are some moments of mawkishness, especially at the finale.

Independent

Large dollops of mawkishness are also thrown in.

Independent

Her "Fille aux cheveux de lin" was modest and sweet, free of mawkishness.

The New York Times - Arts

Seven years ago, he published a masterly collection of short fiction, "Natasha and Other Stories," strong in its bones, devoid of mawkishness.

The New York Times - Books

The germs of mawkishness are clearly present in Sterne's Tristram Shandy (1760 67), though offset by a diluted Rabelaisianism and a certain cerebral quality.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Midway through Michael Bay's 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, interrupting its bizarre mix of war pornography and dour isolationist posturing, there's a shoehorned moment of mawkishness.

The Guardian - Film

Ezra Pound (who, by the way, was Longfellow's grandnephew) and T. S. Eliot were determined to rid the poetic landscape of mawkishness.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hint of mawkishness" to subtly critique a work or situation that borders on being overly sentimental without being explicitly critical. It allows for a nuanced observation rather than a harsh judgement.

Common error

Avoid using "hint of mawkishness" too frequently, as it can become repetitive and dilute its impact. Opt for stronger, more specific language to describe the sentimentality if it is more pronounced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hint of mawkishness" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or an object of a preposition. It describes a subtle degree of excessive sentimentality or emotionalism. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hint of mawkishness" is a noun phrase used to describe a subtle presence of excessive sentimentality. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. Its usage is relatively rare, primarily appearing in News & Media contexts. While it carries a slightly negative connotation, it allows for nuanced critique without being overtly harsh. Related phrases include "touch of sentimentality" and "whiff of sentimentality". When employing this phrase, be mindful of overuse and consider stronger alternatives for more pronounced sentimentality. Ludwig's analysis confirms its place as a valid, though infrequent, descriptor of understated emotional excess.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

touch of sentimentality

Replaces "hint of mawkishness" with a focus on sentimentality, implying a slight emotional excess.

whiff of excessive emotion

Substitutes "mawkishness" with "excessive emotion", emphasizing the intensity of feeling.

trace of sappiness

Replaces "mawkishness" with "sappiness", suggesting a more overt sentimentality.

suggestion of cloying sentiment

Uses "cloying sentiment" instead of "mawkishness", highlighting the overly sweet or sentimental nature.

degree of maudlin feeling

Replaces "mawkishness" with "maudlin feeling", emphasizing a self-pitying or tearfully sentimental quality.

element of bathos

Substitutes "mawkishness" with "bathos", which refers to an abrupt transition from a sublime to a trivial style.

undertone of treacle

Employs "treacle" instead of "mawkishness", evoking an image of excessive sweetness or sentimentality.

smidge of emotionalism

Uses "emotionalism" instead of "mawkishness", focusing on the display of emotions.

shade of undue sentimentality

Replaces "hint" with "shade" and adds "undue" to describe the sentimentality, signifying it as inappropriate or excessive.

tinge of exaggerated emotion

Substitutes "mawkishness" with "exaggerated emotion", suggesting that the emotion is overstated or artificial.

FAQs

How can I use "hint of mawkishness" in a sentence?

You can use "hint of mawkishness" to describe something that is slightly overly sentimental or emotional. For example: "The film had a "hint of mawkishness", but overall, it was well-received."

What's a good substitute for "hint of mawkishness"?

Alternatives include "touch of sentimentality", "whiff of sentimentality", or "trace of sappiness". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "hint of mawkishness" a negative expression?

Yes, it generally carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting that something is leaning towards being excessively or inappropriately sentimental. However, the "hint" implies it's not overwhelming.

How does "hint of mawkishness" differ from "overly sentimental"?

"Hint of mawkishness" suggests a mild presence of sentimentality, while "overly sentimental" implies a stronger, more dominant characteristic. The former is more subtle and less critical.